Starting in the year 1865, post-Civil War, Texas begins to rebuild its economic, social, and political order under the new federal laws regarding emancipation. The shift from a plantation economy with power held by the land owners calls for a “redefinition of the relationship between blacks and whites.” Whites southerners, rejecting the shift from antebellum life, use violence to maintain white supremacy by forming rebellions under organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan. Such organizations eventually force the national government to withdraw its defense of blacks and sympathize with the white elites. Those committing violence against Union troops, Freedmen's Bureau Officials, and Freedmen after the Civil War are rightly called terrorist.
Contrary to popular belief, some believe violent white organizations are used to restore common ways of life and local government to antebellum society for the good of all. This thought that these violent acts are in the interest of the people, derives from land owner’s self-interest. Groups of planters, politicians, and merchants believe their actions toward …show more content…
Whites hatred towards black freedmen first brings about violence in the southern Reconstruction Era. Antebellum slaveholders main goal is to prevent “social domination of black people, whom most whites in the nineteenth century considered to be inferior.” To prevent these beliefs from being acted on, Union troops are stationed throughout Texas to “ensure loyal government and protect the right of the blacks who were free”, however, this action by the federal government only fuels more hatred, and terroristic acts by the white supremacy groups. At this time, groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Knights of the White Camelia, White League, and many more organize publicly and privately to ensure ongoing violence against blacks and make white supremacy a reality in the
Contrary to popular belief, some believe violent white organizations are used to restore common ways of life and local government to antebellum society for the good of all. This thought that these violent acts are in the interest of the people, derives from land owner’s self-interest. Groups of planters, politicians, and merchants believe their actions toward …show more content…
Whites hatred towards black freedmen first brings about violence in the southern Reconstruction Era. Antebellum slaveholders main goal is to prevent “social domination of black people, whom most whites in the nineteenth century considered to be inferior.” To prevent these beliefs from being acted on, Union troops are stationed throughout Texas to “ensure loyal government and protect the right of the blacks who were free”, however, this action by the federal government only fuels more hatred, and terroristic acts by the white supremacy groups. At this time, groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Knights of the White Camelia, White League, and many more organize publicly and privately to ensure ongoing violence against blacks and make white supremacy a reality in the